A cloudy Friday morning here on the North East coast-the basking sunshine of last week now seems a distant memory. Will it ever snow again in England, who knows. As global warming takes it grip, it's made me think of my favourite weather/ global warming related songs. To close this report, here's a few of the best I can think of. Your suggestions welcome please.

"Rain Dogs"-Tom Waits
"On Larsen B"- British Sea Power
"Seasons End"-Marillion
"Four Seasons In One Day"-Crowded House
"Here Comes The Sun"-The Beatles

Was thinking about Was (Not Was) the other night and their biggest hit to date, which was Shake Your Head, featuring Kim Basinger and Ozzy Osbourne. I don't think any of the band even played on it, yet such is the power of a dance remix, it brought them a few weeks of fame. Any other artist/ bands you can think of in similar circumstances?

Joined my father and his fellow bell ringers (that's church tower bell ringing, nothing sleazy) for a swift few in our local tonight. At one point during the evening, heard my father asking one of the younger ringers: "When are you off too see The Pigeon Catchers then?" He was referring to The Pigeon Detectives, bless him. It made me think, of a parallel world with bands and artist who are the same but slightly different. Here are a a few to start off, can you suggest any others?

1) Counting Crows (Counting Cockerals)
2) Crowded House (Cramped Flat)
3) Marillion (Salmarillion)
4) Pink Floyd (Punk Floyd)
5) Teenage Fanclub (Adolescent Fanzine)

If you had to describe an artist by a particular culinary dish, were would you start? I would suggest the following for starters:

1) Oasis- Mince and Mash (basic, workman like, no frills but a solid job)

2) Snow Patrol- Any type of Macdonalds burger; satisfies for about a minute after eating, but very quickly leaves you feeling empty.

3) Amy Winehouse- sweet, but wobbly and delicate like jelly.

4) Pete Doherty- smoked kippers

5) Marillion- fish always off the menu now.

Music is strange, I've had a Squeeze greatest hits comp for years, but it's never been a particular favourite, although I've always had the upmost respect for Difford and Tilbrook as songwriters. The closest thing we have to English Finn Brothers perhaps?
Without wishing to appear like a slice of cheddar cheese, must give thanks to Word for introducing one to Chris Difford's new album.It's always nice to discover something new and yet familiar at the same time, then delve further into their back catalogue.
This album is a fantastic collection of songs;sincere, genuine , moving and at times funny, it's certainly something to look forward to when the office clock finally hits five. Even "doing the dishes" becomes a sentimental moment when Diffords at this kitchen sink.Chris is in inspiring voice throughout and sounds as English as The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band;all straight from the heart stuff.
This is one of those albums that I know will become a personal favourite for years to come.The band help make it too of course, Boo Hewerdine's guitar on Broken Family and the trumpet solo by Enrico Tomasso on "The Gates Of Eden" are two of the most moving musical moments I have heard this year."Julian And Sandy" has the rare joy of containing a clarinet solo in a popular song. What albums have moved you in similar circumstances this year?

Can you do any better for local news stories? What breaking news is happening in your parish? Here are a couple of stories from my local Sacrborough paper in. Hang on to your seats, it's a roller coaster of a read. They appeared as follows, with the following headlines.

1)"SCRAMBLED TO EGGS"
FIREFIGHTERS were called to reports of a fire at a house in Ryndle Crescent. When the crew arrived, at 12.45pm on Monday, it was found to be a pan of eggs that had been left on the cooker and the fire had been extinguished.

2) "BANGERS SPARK FIRE"
A PAN of sausages triggered a kitchen blaze. When the fire crew arrived at Queen Street on Tuesday night, the fire had already been put out.

Fascinating tribute to Humph on Radio 4 this morning. Managed to catch it all by driving slowly to work. For anyone who missed it, here's the link.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/progs/listenagain.shtml#h

Last night on Jools Holland, I had the displeasure of watching James using two drummers on their opening song. There is surely nothing stranger to watch is there? It just looks a bit daft and makes one feel slightly uncomfortable, a bit like a band with two bass players.
Why do you need two, one's is surely loud enough at the best of times. Any other recent spottings of two people snare bashing at once?

It used to be quite a common sight on The Princes Trust concerts in the eightes, when the recently re-loved Phil Collins had a drum battle with Chester Thompson (see pic above) sometimes percussionist Ray Cooper would even join in! Have you any evidence when two drummers is a good thing?

Just finished reading Eric Clapton's autobiography and upon re-listening to Layla, was reminded of what a great guitar introduction this song has.

Like the opening chapter of a good novel, Layla immediately sets the tone of what's to come.
Maybe it'sjust me, but I think good intros are becomming a forgotten art form? The fade in intro is not to be recommended either; see "Oasis's Rocking Chair".
Here are a few of my favourite intros , can these be topped I wonder? Heard any other good new intros recently?

"Layla"-Eric Clapton
"Sweet Child Of Mine-"Guns N' Roses
"Hotel California"-The Eagles
"Shine On You Crazy Diamond"-Pink Floyd
"When The War Came-The Decemberists

Looking forward to catching Was (Not Was) on Jools Holland tonight, must be well over twelve years since I last saw them live (supporting Dire Straits!). Here's one of their classics,with Sinatra on guest vocals.Very underrated band. Any other fans out there?

Today I did a terrible thing. I bought the Mail On Sunday, the one with the free copy of Simply Red's Stars.
I saw the advert on TV last night and was curious too see if the free album was the original album in its entirety. (This is a slight lie, I actually quite like the album and only have a worn out old copy on tape, so though what the hell, live a little, sometimes you just want to hear something familiar and easy on the ear).
It is, the original album, not one of those rubbish live best of affairs, that nomally come with the Sunday Papers.
After the release of the Prince's album a few months ago, I expect Hucknall shifted a few more copies of the Sunday Mail today, and it is useful promotion for his forthcoming solo album.
Do you think today was a one off ,or perhaps we will see more "classic" albums being given away with the Sundays. I'm not sure, but something got me started today and I think other acts will follow soon.

If you had to fill Bob Dylan's shoes for one week and step in as presenter on his radio show, what theme would you select and what tracks would you play?

My theme would be "Nightime" and my ten tracks would be:

1)"The Night Fly"-Donald Fagen
2) "Moonlight In Vermont"-Billie Holiday
3) "In The Wee Small Hours"-Frank Sinatra
4) "Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark"- Robert Cray
5) "Death Disco" P.I.L
6) "This Is The Night"-The The
7)"Eclipse"-Pink Floyd
8) "Shine A Light"-The Rolling Stones
9) " Nighthawk Postcards"-Tom Waits
10) "Lights Out For Darker Skies"-British Sea Power

Have any Word bloggers every paid to see one of those trendy new musicals at the West End, and was it any good? Or is that a daft question? I will be in London at the end of May and am hoping to catch a good show if possible. What do you recommend, or would the theatre be a better plan of action. I saw The Women In Black a few years ago and it was chilling, but brilliantly done.
After the likes of the Abba and Queen musicals, who will be next to grace the West End. A few spring to mind:

"Cold As Ice"- Coldplay, The Musical (Warts and All) May not contain swearing.

"R Kid A"- Oasis and Radiohead combine for joint musical.

"Winehouse Shambles"- Amy and Pete' s debut at the West End. Expect "Stand Ins" most nights.

It's a while since we heard anything from Matt Johnson and The The. Will we ever seen them onstage in Britain again I wonder?
Throughout the world of popular music and rock n' roll, there seem to be certain artists/ bands who do something, then disappear off the face of the Earth for ages. Some of them keep writing material and working, but just don't release it. These types of artist never officially annouce they have split up and retired,but keep the world waiting with baited breath, just incase.
Imagine my joy therefore, when I discovered a new Was (Not Was) track on the latest Word CD, after a lengthy hiatus. Prefab Sprout are another case in point; does Paddy Mcaloon just sit at home trimming his beard all day, or work on unheard concept albums about fly fishing and organic eating?
Who else would you like to see re enter the earth's rock n' roll orbit. Please don't say Pink Floyd or you will have to go and stand at the back of the classroom and think about your actions.

I was listening to the latest Word podcast last night and have to agree that Bernard Cribbins return to TV on Dr Who is something that should be celebrated.It made me think of another national treasure- Clive Dunn. "Grandad we love you".

He never seems to have aged and was naturally old as "Grandad" when I was a nipper.He may well be immortal. It would be nice to see him making a similar return to TV in a suitable programme (if he is able). These old dogs are always the best. Who else has been away from our screens for too long and are due a second coming? Imagine Ronnie Corbett as the next Dr Who!

Yesterday I bought my first cheap digital camera; the magazine editor I write for in York suggested it would be useful to send in some pictures with reviews. Fair point, but it's going to take me a few days to get to grips with the bloody thing. At the moment, I have managed to turn it on and off and notice it makes an annoying sound like a small budgie chirping. I have put it back in its box and will try again later.Thankfully, I have Thursday off to hopefully master the small beast before I use it at a gig on Friday night. It reminds me of the days when I was given my first mobile phone, only about 5 years ago and the burden in mastering that gadget.
As much as I appreciate modern technology and the use of the internet for sites such as Word, sometimes I crave for days of old; meeting people on time in pubs and not receiving texts with updates of how late they will be etc.
It's strange to think back to the turn of the millenium, when I had no e-mail, computer, used Word DOS BASIC on a crappy D.S.S. PC and hand delivered printed articles (done on old word processor) to my local paper. If one day, the world wide internet collapsed, we'd all be in a pickle wouldn't we?

The most treasured item I have in my record collection is a copy of Bill Haley's Rock Around The Clock. It's not worth millions, but as a youngster, it was one of the first records I remember playing over and over again. It would be a shame to accidentally stand on it (as I have done with other prized records) or watch in horror, as my young nephews mistook it for a frisbee.
What is your most treasured record or CD; is it a highly collectable item, stored in safekeeping in a secret vault in the Swiss Alps, or something of more sentimental value, which brings tears to your eyes, every time you hear it.

It's a simple question, but do you have a favourite instrument?
I'm a strong lover of all things brass, but have over the past few years fallen in love with the sound of the accordian; used particularly effectively by The Gotan Project in recent years.
I suspect the guitar will come in as a popular choice, but you never know, the Hawaiian nose flute, may also be a popular choice.
Any clips also welcome, the performer below has a typing speed of 750 wpm.

This afternoon I purchased a copy of Feist's "Let It Die" for £3 from my local HMV. I know nothing about the lass, or her music, but thought for nearly the price of a pint of Black Sheep, it would be worth a gamble. A sticker with various glowing reviews, did swing the purchase I have to admit: "......must have album" 5/5 MIXMAG, "impossible to ignore etc......."
On this occasion it does seem to have paid off, perhaps I should make these kind of purchases more often.
Have you ever bought an album blind and did your gamble pay off as mine did today?

Following on from Vulpes Vulpes's thread,which revealed that lots of Word bloggers don't actually seem to do much work in the day, I thought it would intersting to find out where the rest of the Parish live at this moment.
Is the majority of the Word community British, or are you reading this blog from a steam ship on the Mississippi or a stuffy tent in the Sahara?
My current location is far less interesting, I live in Scalby Village, about three miles away from Scarborough, but thankfully not too near Whitby or Filey. I was born in Scarborough, but once lived in Leeds.I have a Scottish mother and an English father; who is now nearly deaf in one ear, poor chap.